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A logical Strategy to Treating Erectile Dysfunction with medications.

Posted on November 10, 2016November 20, 2016 by admin

Appreciation to an aging population and some direct-to-consumer advertising, many American men of a particular age know to ask concerning the little blue pill or similar medications if they develop erectile difficulties. But, is an erectile dysfunction medication like Viagra or its competitors always the best place to begin? This question is directly to men with low testosterone levels.

Testosterone First Approach

Before Viagra came to limelight in 1988 and transformed the treatment of erectile dysfunction, testosterone was an essential medical therapy for this issue. Testosterone is central in the male sexual response including the desire for sex and the mechanics of triggering an erection.

Getting more of this hormone is not a universal solution for erectile dysfunction. Some men with erectile issues have perfectly normal quantities of testosterone. Many physicians will not consider prescribing testosterone unless certain symptoms are also present such as decreased desire for sex and fatigue. Boosting testosterone does not always improve erections. But it is an option on the table for men with low testosterone. One possible benefit to the testosterone first approach is that it could make it unnecessary to take a pill in the anticipation of a sexual intercourse encounter. Also, men with low testosterone and symptoms may experience extra advantages of testosterone replacement such as more “pep” and more desire for sex in the first place.

The present erectile dysfunction medications belong to a class of drugs called PDE-5 inhibitors. They help in blood flow to the spongy tissues in the penis which creates an erection. Many competitors have since leapt into this lucrative market; Cialis, Levitra and Avanafil.
These days, one of these drugs is usually the first treatment a primary care doctor will recommend for erectile dysfunction issue and not testosterone. That is because they tend to be more effective and reliably when compared to testosterone. The response is always quicker but like testosterone, they do not work for about 30 percent of men who try one.

Logical Approach

Furthermore, erectile dysfunction is being seen as a systemic medical issue. In some research, erectile dysfunction is like the canary in a coal mine for a future heart attack. That is because erectile dysfunction is often due to atherosclerosis. This is the same artery clogging process that usually precedes heart attack and strokes. So, it should be approached more systematically more than just starting with an erectile dysfunction drug. If a man discovers that he is having problem in getting or maintain an erection and other things in his life are relatively stable, then, it is very important to speak with his doctor to carry out a blood test for testosterone. This is a good next step. If the testosterone level is low, then trying testosterone replacement makes more sense. If that does not improve erections, then it is time to try an erectile dysfunction drug.